The beauty about taking pictures of children, I find, is that they have that unselfconscious innocence. As a child portraiture photographer, I love looking through the lens at a child who stares right back at me, or off into the distance like they're lost in some profound thought or daydream. Those moments aren't rare, but they are often difficult to capture when a child has a lens pointing directly at them.

The trick is to relax your subject, to have an abundance of patience, and a big dose of fun. If you work hard to create a playful, fun environment, then the shots pretty much make themselves. Here are some ways in which you can get beautiful, often surprising images of your children, and have fun in the process.

Styling

• Let the children pick out clothes they want to wear – I can't stress this enough. Let them wear their battered muddied wellies with their beloved superman costume if they want to.

• If they have chosen a simple outfit, then add accessories as you go along for variety and extra pop.

• Make styling hair fun and part of the shoot.

Lighting

• Use natural light as much as possible. Try to shoot near big windows and use natural reflectors such as white or pale floors and walls to reflect the light and illuminate your subject.

• If you're outside, photograph either early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the sun is not directly above you. Back-lighting your subject (ie with the sun setting/rising behind them) will create an ethereal feel.

Props

Photograph: Sirenphotographic.com

• Props engage the children and get them interested. You can really see their imaginations come to life with interesting props such as old cameras, spectacles, top hats, moustaches, huge knitted hats and magnifying glasses. They don't need to be in all the shots, but kids love them and they provide a welcome distraction from the lens.

• You could try introducing them to something fun that they're using for the first time, such as a kite. It will keep them occupied and their focus away from you behind the camera.

• Don't forget to feature their favourite toy – it will become part of their childhood memories and yours too.

Posing

• If you want to pose your child, look for interesting areas and ask them to suggest ideas. Their suggestions make fun shots, and also relax them for those special shots you get inbetween.

• If you're behind the camera, try lying down, crouching, jumping off things, running away ... You have to move with your subject: chase them and let them chase you.

• Hand the camera over and let them be in charge for a while. You'll be amazed at the difference afterwards.

• Forcing siblings together can be stressful sometimes. Make it fun by suggesting a piggyback, or that they pull silly faces to start with. Once they do this they will have forgotten about the latest squabble.

Focusing

Photograph: Sirenphotographic.com

• While taking photographs, think about the details – dimples, freckles, little fingers, little feet – all the details that you love and cherish. It doesn't have to be just about their face.

• Don't delete every photo you instantly dislike or think you've got wrong; sometimes the blurred shots make for great photos. Resist the urge to look through the monitor; don't edit and shoot at the same time.

• Chat as you're walking along and snap away without looking, just aiming in the general direction. You'll find you get some really interesting shots that you wouldn't normally achieve.